Former LSU football star and coach Jerry Stovall passes away at 85

Jerry Stovall, a former LSU football coach and celebrated All-America athlete, died at 85 in Baton Rouge, according to the university. A West Monroe native, Stovall excelled for LSU from 1960 to 1962, garnering All-America honors, the SEC player of the year award, and a second-place finish in Heisman voting. Drafted second overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963, he spent nine seasons as a safety and punter, earning three Pro Bowl nods.

Returning to LSU as an assistant under Charles McClendon, he later became head coach, guiding the team to an 8-3-1 record and an Orange Bowl berth in 1982. LSU confirmed his passing but did not disclose a cause.